Illinois Numismatic Association Coin Digest

WINTER, 1983

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ILLINOIS NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS

President Bob Ziesmer, Joliet, Illinois

Vice President Sam Johnson, Sparta, Illinois

Treasurer William Miller, Joliet, Illinois

Secretary LeRoy J. Kaczor, 1306 Hollycrest Drive,

Champaign, Illinois 61820

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Ed Voss, Chairman

William Salow

Erthel Rose

Mike Goodrich

Jean Allen

James Erlenborn

Joliet, Illinois

. Chillicothe, Illinois
Arrowsmith, Illinois
Charleston, Illinois
.. Thawville, Illinois
Peru, Illinois

APPOINTED OFFICERS

ILLNA Representative to ANA LeRoy J. Kaczor

Permanent Registrar Agent LeRoy J. Kaczor

Coin Digest LeRoy J. Kaczor

Northern Area ANA Junior Representative Sanda Voss

— AFFILATED WITH —

American Numismatic Association
Central States Numismatic Association

INCORPORATED BY THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
AS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

ADVERTISING RATES FOR COIN DIGEST

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Take a 5% discount from these rates if ad is paid
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PERMANENT COIN CLUB SHOW DATES

SHOW CHAIRMAN: EDWARD VOSS

Member Clubs: Please check this listing before scheduling

your next show! Send listings to Show Chairman EARLY !

February — 2nd Sunday: Rantoul Coin Club, Rantoul
February — 4th Sunday: Gibson City Coin Club, Gibson City
March — 1st Sunday: Wat-Cha-Kee Coin Club, Watseka
March — 2nd weekend: Dupo Coin Club, Fairview Heights
March — 3rd Sunday: Freeport Coin Club, Freeport
March — 3rd Sunday: Kankakee Coin Club, Kankakee
April — Last weekend (two days): Mattoon Coin Club, Mattoon
May — 1st Saturday: Corn Belt Coin Club, Bloomington
October — 1st Saturday: Corn Belt Coin Club, Bloomington
October — 3rd Sunday: Kankakee Coin Club, Kankakee
October — 3rd Sunday: McHenry County Coin Club, Crystal Lake
October — 4th Sunday: Hoopeston Coin Club, Hoopeston
November — 1st Sunday: Champaign-Urbana Coin Club, Urbana
November — 1st Sunday: Dixon Coin Club, Dixon
November — 1st Sunday: Centralia Coin Club, Centralia
November — 2nd Sunday: Aurora Coin Club, Aurora

For A Whale of a Printing Job . . .

M & D PRINTING

Moby and Dick Finfgeld

616 SECOND STREET — HENRY, ILLINOIS 61537

PHONE 309/364-2534

The Drake Hotel Robbery Medals

by Fred J. Borgmann

A couple of years ago when gold and silver prices skyrocketed and the
smelting madness which overtook the country destroyed countless historical
artifacts, the loss of which may never be fully appreciated, a gold medal and
suspension brooch was sold to a coin and bullion dealer as scrap gold. For-
tunately the dealer had enough of a conscience and common sense to forego
an immediate profit and saved the medal for posterity.

The medal is gold, 36.45 mm in diameter, weighs 15.20 grams and is of
three piece construction. The round cast planchet has a female figure mounted
on the obverse side and has a gold strip 3 mm in width mounted around the
edge, giving the medal a very high protective edge. The three ring suspension
is mounted at the top on this gold strip. The edge, shield and wreath are highly
polished, while the rest of the medal has an antique finish.

Obverse : an allegorical female figure seated on a shield engraved with the
initials “CK.” She holds a laurel wreath in her extended left hand.

Reverse: engraved “Presented to Officer Charles Kiefer by Central Uptown
Chicago Association for Heroism in Drake Hotel Robbery July 29, 1925.” At the
very bottom in small letters is “Spies Bros., Chi.”

The brooch is gold, 28 x 8.2 mm and weighs 4.49 grams. The face has 1 mm
wide milling along the rim framing the engraved word “Heroism.” The back
has a pin and catch above a ribbon bar and is hallmarked “Spies Bros. Chi.
Solid Gold.” Ironically, since federal law by this time required gold items to
have their gold content clearly marked in karat weight, this medal and the
seven others like it which were awarded to policemen were technically illegal.

Ribbon : After all my research, which included contacting the current
owner of the Spies Brothers firm, no record regarding the ribbon or even the
medal could be found. Blue would be my guess for the ribbon color.

In our bureaucratic society one would think some record would be available
concerning this medal and the reason for it’s existence. Spies Brothers Jewelers
have no record that old. The Central Uptown Chicago Assn, no longer exists.
Chicago Police Department records, if they exist, cannot be found. The Drake
Hotel has no knowledge of such a robbery ever having taken place, and they
just had a history of the hotel done by a public relations firm for their 60th
anniversary. Therefore, what follows is based on newspaper accounts (some-
time contradictory) from the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Daily News.

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The robbers were: Erik Nelson, a former waiter in the hotel restaurant,
who is credited with planning the robbery; Ted Court, who a few weeks earlier
shot and killed a policeman while robbing the Pantheon Theater (both Nelson
and Court were shot and killed by police while fleeing the hotel) ; Joseph
Holmes and Jack Wilson (both captured, tried, convicted and hung in the Cook
County Jail on February 13, 1926); and William Marks, alias Mullneschuck (who
seems to have made good his escape with most of the stolen money).

The robbery began about 3:30 p.m. on July 29, 1925 when the bandits parked
their stolen light green Cadillac on Lake Shore Drive. Then they entered the
Drake Hotel from the north through the Lake Shore Drive entrance. Once
inside, the bandits immediately went to the second floor administration offices
with Nelson leading the way. As soon as they were beyond the busy lobby, the
bandits put on their masks and drew their weapons. Wilson had a sawed off
double barrel shotgun and the rest had an assortment of pistols. At this point
it should also be noted that the bandits had been drinking since the morning
and at least one of them, Holmes, was wildly drunk. Upon entering the enclo-
sure which the executive offices and cashier cages faced.

Wilson and Marks walked in front of the cages, while Nelson and Court
hurried to the rear of the cages. Meanwhile, Holmes went into the large
clerical room behind the cages, lined up two men and three women employees
and relieved them of their watches and some of their jewelry. One of the
women managed to slip her diamond engagement ring under her tongue un-
noticed by Holmes, who then took mercy on her and let her keep her remaining
friendship ring.

While the other bandits were looting the cages, rejecting sacks of coins in
favor of paper money, Holmes was marching his prisoners back and forth
through several unoccupied offices in military fashion swearing and cursing
continually. Holmes, however, had marched his parade once too often and one
of the women kicked a door shut in his face ! The now furious Holmes fired
several shots through the locked door and then ran out into the hall in order
to circle around and get into the other room with his frightened prisoners. As
he made the run, he collided with a returning secretary knocking her back
down the flight of stairs she had just came up.

In spite of her resulting injuries, the secretary rushed to the assistant
manager who telephoned the house detective, James McMurdie, telling him
of the robbery in progress. Upon returning to the clerical office, Holes saw the
head clerk, Frank Rodkey, seated at his desk as ordered and still grinning
from watching the humorous marching scene. “I’ll wipe that grin from your

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face,” Holmes told the clerk, and then shot him point blank in the abdomen,
mortally wounding him.

By this time, the bandits, with the exception of Holmes, fled down the
corridor through which they came, passing by the door of the house detective’s
office. Having received the phone call and hearing the shooting, McMurdie
opened his door a crack and shot at the bandits as they passed by, hitting
Court in the shoulder. The bandits then began running and McMurdie fired
several more shots after them. Wilson returned the fire with his shotgun, but
appartently slid his hand too far down the short barrel and blew off part of
his left thumb.

Holmes meanwhile ran down the back (kitchen) stairs and half the way
down met an assistant steward and a- coffee boy, both on their way up. Holmes
yelled, “Stick ’em up!”, and the shocked steward slipped, fell and rolled down
the stairs leaving the coffee boy behind him with his hands raised high above
his head. While Holmes shoved the boy into a pantry, a kitchen clerk who had

heard what was going on ran outside and called to Police Officers Clarence
Dalof and John Kelly, who were directing traffic. The officers entered the hotel
and confronted Holmes, who then shot Officer Dalof in the hand was clubbed
unconscious by Officer Kelly before he could fire another shot.

Meanwhile, at the front of the hotel the remaining bandits ran through the
lobby and came out onto the sidewalk. Nelson, Marks and the self-wounded
Wilson made it back to their car. The drunk and wounded Court, however, went
to the wrong car. At this moment two other police officers, Patrick Hannigan
and Walter Noonan (Noonan was off duty) who, when they saw Officers Kelly
and Dalof run to the rear of the hotel, instinctively started for the front, came
around the corner just in time to see the bandits running for their car.

Court, who was still trying to get into the wrong car, saw them coming
and started shooting. Officer Hannigan returned the fire and killed Court just
as Officer Peter Annen grabbed Court’s arm. Officer Annen joined the chase
from his corner on Oak Street and came up behind Court unseen. This action
gave the remaining bandits enough time to get away in their Cadillac. Since
the car was parked facing east, the bandits had to drive east, turning south
at the next corner and then turning west on Walton. From Walton, they turned
north on Michigan to Lake Shore Drive, driving furiously towards Lincoln Park
after having made a complete circuit around the Drake Hotel. The speeding
Cadillac entered Lincoln Park taking the inner boulevard of Stockton Drive,

5

with its many sharp turns, forcing dozens of cars to take evasive action. Their
luck ran out at the Center Street intersection when they crashed into a Jewett
sedan containing several women who fled at the sight of all the guns.

The three bandits then abandoned their Cadillac. Marks and the wounded
Wilson calmly walked south for one block and then hailed a Yellow Cab, direct-
ing the driver to the corner of Winthrop and Argyle. From there they walked
to Mark’s rented room, where Wilson tried to bandage his thumb and they
split up the portion of the stolen money that Marks was carrying. After this,
the two split up. Wilson left his money with the owner of Cozzi’s Restaurant
for safe keeping. Cozzi in turn called a Dr. Chesroy, who had Wilson taken to
the Jefferson Park Hospital where he was treated and eventually arrested later
that evening. Marks seems to have made good his escape and as of mid-
September, 1925 had not been captured.

The third bandit in the wrecked Cadillac was Nelson. Nelson, with his pistol
in hand, attempted to commandeer a Chrysler touring car but the frightened
driver killed the engine and Nelson couldn’t get it started again. Nelson then
commandeered a passing Yellow Cab with a woman passenger. Nelson jumped
into the back knocking the woman to the floor, shoved his gun against the
drivers back, ordered him to drive north and to “drive like hell.” South-bound
Police Officer Arthur Wingren saw what was happening, commandeered a Mar-
mon Sedan and gave chase while standing on the running board. As the chase
moved north along Sheridan Road through the various intersections, Officer
Wingren signaled to the traffic officers to join in the pursuit.

Officer John Broacker joined the chase at Diversey Parkway and Officer
Charles Kiefer joined in at Irving Park Blvd. Both commendeered cars. During
the chase, Officer Wingren gave up the slow Harmon he was riding and com-
mendeered a Bauer Cab. The chase must have been quite a sight ; cars weaving
in and out of the heavy rush hour traffic with policemen on the runningboards
occasionally exchaning gun shots with Nelson in his fleeing cab. North on Clark
Street, Nelson’s cab driver slowed down preparing to jump out when Nelson
leaned forward and hit him on the back of the head with his pistol. The driver
went sprawling head-long into the street, leaving the cab out of control to
crash head on into a trolley car near Carmen Avenue. Nelson jumped out of
the cab, ran on foot along Winona Avenue and then turned into an alley, with
Officers Broecker and Kiefer hot on his heels. (Officer Wingren had stopped
to reload his gun.)

Nelson ducked into a basement entrance at 1454 Foster Avenue. Officer
Broecker, close behind him, used his empty gun to club Nelson on the head.
When Officer Kiefer ran up, Nelson and Officer Broecker were grappling with a
gun between them. Nelson, now in control of the gun and not knowing it was
empty, was trying to point it at Officer Broecker’ s chest. Officer Kiefer, seeing
an immediate threat to Officer Broecker’s life, fired one shot through Nelson’s
head, killing him instantly.

For their actions in pursuit of the Drake Hotel robbers, the eight policemen
named in this account were awarded gold medals just like Officer Kiefer’s
medal. Each medal had the recipient’s initials engraved on the shield and
their names included in the legend on the back. In addition, each officer won
the $100 Chicago Tribune Police Heroism Award.

Officer Kiefer must have had an interesting career. As early as August 7,
1917 he and a lifeguard saved two girls from drowning in Lake Michigan. On
March 12, 1932 Sargeant Kiefer was shot and wounded during a Communist

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Drake Heroes Win Tribune Awards

Walter Noonan

Arthur Wingren

John Broecker

Peter Annen

Clarence Dalof Patrick Hannigan

Charles Kiefer

John Kelly

instigated anti-Japanese riot. On March 30, 1933 Sargeant Kiefer and his team
won the Lincoln Park Board Team Revolver Shooting Trophy. Sargeant Kiefer
died December 13, 1942 at 56 years of age, leaving a wife and four children.
It is kind of a sad thought to think that one of them or their children would
have sold his medal for scrap.

Finally, special thanks are due Miss L. K., for without her many long hours
spent searching through reels of micro filmed newspapers this article might
never have been written, and to Chicago Police Officer Thomas A. Molyneaux,
who went out of his way to help me gain access to some very interesting
scrap books.

Editor’s Note : Fred Borgmann is a numismatic editor with Krause Numis-
matic Publications of Iola, Wisconsin.

ABOUT DUES

A new year brings dues notices to my house; maybe to yours too. Dues
have NOT been increased — still $3.00 a year for old members; $4.00 for the
first year for new members. Please get your dues in as soon as possible.

I hope you will have some left over after paying the tax man. We have
a lot of membership cards, so don’t be afraid to sign up a new ILLNA member.

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HOW ABOUT ADIEU ?

The next issue of the Digest will be handled by Dale Lukanich, Mark
Wieclaw and Mike Hurley. They are young men with some new and fresh ideas.
I know they will do a good job for the association. To correspond with them,
write: Dale P. Lukanich, 409 Dixon Avenue, Joliet, Illinois 60435.

I have served as a board member or officers (president 1968-69) since
ILLNA was formed in 1959. At the 1983 show in Peoria, my office (secretary)
will be open. I will have then served 24 years. I would like very much to step
down. Surely someone would like to take over as secretary.

I retired a little over two and one-half years ago and think now I’ll have
all the free time I need — wrong! I am writing a book that I have beoome a
slave to, research articles that demand time, and two grand children that I
don’t see often enough; not to mention an invitation to spend some winter time
in Florida and with my sister in California.

My library needs to be completely re-cataloged (a full winter’s job); so
someone help me running for the job of secretary of ILLNA.

— Jimmy

TO PROMOTE EXHIBITING

The Board of Governors has a new program to become effective immedi-
atel.y. The officers of ULNA are greatly concerned about the drop in participa-
tion of numismatic exhibitors on all levels. For some years now, the exhibits
have been on the lean side — at ANA in Boston (1982), about 100 exhibits.
Central States has had a very poor showing the past few years; Illinois and
Indiana have been having ten to fifteen exhibits each year. Most local clubs
do poorly; one exception is the Joliet Coin Club — each year they come up
with 15 to 20 exhibits. A few clubs have dropped exhibiting for any one of
several reasons.

ILLNA will give any member club of the association a check in the amount
of $25.00 to be used to purchase exhibit trophies. We sincerely hope this offer
will be taken advantage of by all clubs. Your club can have good displays if
you will push the issue a little at your monthly club meetings. Write to the
secretary of ILLNA stating club name and date of show.

1983 DUES

ENCLOSED IN THIS “DIGEST” IS A NOTICE OF YOUR 1983 DUES !
YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER WILL BE APPRECIATED !

— Jimmy

CORRECTION — The “Lottery" article which appeared in the Winter, 1982
issue of the COIN DIGEST was written by Samuel W. Johnson, Jr., instead
of someone named ‘Thomas’, as was printed. The editor regrets this error.

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My Price Was 107 Bucks or Dollars

by Samuel W. Johnson, Jr.

Hello, friends and fellow collectors. How often have you heard the following
statements or something very similar? (Many times?) “Hey, pal. Loan me
10 bucks until payday.” “I’ll bet ya’ 20 bucks that the Dodgers beat the
Yankees in the World Series.” “Some professional athletes make a million
bucks a year.”

Do you know why some of us say “bucks” instead of dollars? The author
conducted several mini-surveys and asked more than 100 people just why we
says bucks instead of dollars. One survey was conducted at the 1981 Illinois
State Convention. Others were conducted at the local pool hall, the author’s
place of work, and at the 1982 Chicago International Coin Fair.

The results of these surveys were nearly identical in that a large majority
of people and numismatists did not know why they used the term “bucks.”
Less than 12 percent were able to give the correct answer! This gave the
author added incentive to write this educational article.

This article features a documented true story and an unquestionable
reference as to why many of us say bucks instead of dollars. Although four
accounts of the story revealed some differences, the basic facts were nearly
identical. Eventually, all information in this article was gleaned from the
documented actual records. Here is the story.

History reveals that George Rogers Clark and his 150 to 180 man “army”,
nicknamed “The Long Knives”, won possession of the Illinois Territory from
the British in the years 1778-79. (The nickname of this army came from the
fact that each man carried a very large knife for possible hand-to-hand
combat.) The men in this army were “hand picked” by Clark for their skill
with weapons, their endurance, and physical strength. Nearly all were expert
riflemen and, friends, you would not have wanted to “knife fight” with any of
them. Many of these men were experienced Indian fighters and ex-revolu-
tionary soldiers.

The Long Knives were highly respected and feared by Indians, settlers,
and British and French soldiers. Bluntly stated, the army was a collection of
very tough men. “Man for man” it was a highly efficient force in 1778. The
majority of these soldiers obviously would have been “green berets” in today’s
army.

When traveling with Clark, quite a few of these soldiers liked the south-
western Illinois territory. After their military service was over, as many as
40 of them returned to make their home in this area. One of their first settle-
ments, started about April of 1782, was near a large fresh water spring named
“La Belle Fontaine.” (The French translation is “the beautiful fountain.”)
This spring is located a few hundred yards south of present day Waterloo,
Illinois, in Monroe County, and about 25 miles south of St. Louis’ Gateway Arch.

Many years after its formation, this early settlement was harrassed by
Indians. One incredibly spectacular experience concerned a man named Wil-
liam Biggs. Highly regarded at age 23, Biggs had served as a Lieutenant in
Clark’s army. He returned in 1784 to settle near La Belle Fontaine. In this
new land, Biggs spent the next few years trying to make a good life for his
wife and children.

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This 10 foot diameter pool of water is La Belle Fontaine in the year 1982. The
large sunken barrell in the center of the pool is the mouth of the spring. Noted
on maps of the early 1700’s as “a great spring,” it obviously still is! Unable to
properly measure the flow of the water, the author estimates it at several
thousand gallons per day because a small ever-flowing creek is created. Clark
and his army undoubtedly drank water here when traveling from Kaskaskia
to Cahokia.

On March 27, 1788 Biggs and a friend named John Vallis had decided to go
to Cahokia (Illinois) and sell or trade many beaver skins that they had accumu-
lated. About 7 :00 a.m. that morning, only about five miles north of La Belle
Fontaine, the two men were casually riding along on their horses when sud-
denly they heard two rifle shots : Both men looked to their right because it
sounded as if that was where the shots originated. Seeing nothing, the men
cautiously rode on. (Both concluded that hunters were in the area.)

A short distance ahead, as they rode into a woods, Biggs looked to his left
and saw a blood curdling sight. Sixteen Indians were standing side-by-side
about 40 yards away. All had rifles pointed at the two men, and their fingers
were on the triggers.

Noted Waterloo historian Mr. Alfred
Meuller is standing near a remnant of
the old road. Barely skirting La Belle
Fontaine, this is the road Biggs and
Vallis traveled the fateful morning of
March 27, 1788. Only about five miles
north of this spot is where the two
men encountered the sixteen armed
Indians.

Biggs shouted an alarm to Vallis and both men leaned down low on their
horse’s mane. As they began to whip their horses into a sprint, all of the
Indians fired nearly in unison. What followed, obviousy, was a hail of very

10

accurate rifle fire. Because Biggs and his horse were nearest to the Indians
(somewhat shielding Vallis and his mount), his horse was hit with at least four
bullets. As many as five more bullets pierced the large heavy coat Biggs
was wearing.

Unbelievably and miraculously Biggs was not wounded! (The bullets had
pierced his coat in such places as the baggy sleeves, the large collar, and the
part that hung down by his legs.) His fatally wounded horse “reared up’’ and
then began to step sideways. All of the Indians had laid their rifles down

and, screaming and shouting, with upraised tomahawks were charging toward

Biggs. During this time, Biggs and his saddle slid off of the horse. His rifle
slipped off of his shoulder to the ground. (Riding a fast horse, John Vallis
quickly escaped.)

Biggs’ horse then began to uncontrolably sprint with Biggs desperately
holding onto the horse’s mane. Repeatedly, he tried to get back on the horse
but could not. After about 30 yards, Biggs let go of the mane, fell to the ground

and began running. At this point, the Indians were within 15 yards. (Biggs’

horse ran 600 yards and fell dead.) Biggs took off running like he was ‘shot out
of a cannon.’ In the foot race that followed, Biggs badly outran the Indians for
the first few hundred yards. In fact, twelve of the sixteen Indians quickly gave
up the chase.

However, after about 400 yards, the other four Indians caught him. Stun-
ningly, the first to catch him made no attempt to kill him. Instead, this Indian
rubbed the handle of his tomahawk from Biggs’ shoulder down to his hand. This
act signified to the other Indians that Biggs was not to be killed.

(Author’s notation: Biggs would later write in a letter (actual quote), “I
run about foure hundred yards before they catched me and I belive I should
a cleared ought frome them if I had not bin so heavy cloathed.” You must
excuse the mis-spelled words, friends ! In 1788, this was A- English on the
frontier.)

It is unclear why the Indians didn’t kill Biggs. Badly outnumbering him,
they could have done so because Biggs was unarmed. Perhaps they were
amazed that he was not wounded in their hail of rifle fire. Perhaps, because
Biggs was such a large man (estimated 6’ 8’’ tall, more or less, and 200 pounds
plus) they wished to later “show off” by saying, “Look at the huge white man
we captured.” Biggs certainly may have been one of the largest men that the
Indians had ever seen ! It is obvious that the Indians originally intended to
kill him. Just why they didn’t remains a mystery.

Riding a beautiful elegant horse, which was not wounded, John Vallis
escaped. However, Vallis was painfully and seriously wounded in the upper
thigh. When the four Indians captured Biggs, Vallis had “doubled back” and
was only 100 yards away. His horse snorting and prancing on the road, Vallis,
with rifle in his hand, observed the scene. Although armed, there are two
obvious reasons why Vallis did not interfere. First, he probably was unable to
attack because of his wound. Second, he saw that Biggs had not been killed
and obviously did not want to further endanger his friend’s life.

A few minutes later, when he reached “Piggotts Fort,” the nearly uncon-
cious Vallis had to be lifted from his horse and carried to a bed. That Vallis
waited for Biggs under these conditions, was definitely a heroic act! Vallis,
who had also served as a Long Knife, certainly was a true friend of Biggs.
Sadly, these two men were never to see each other again! Because of his
wound, John Vallis died six weeks later (probably of infection and gangrene.)

11

When Vallis reached the fort, a small cannon was fired to alert nearby
settlers that Indians were in the area. This scared the Indians who had cap-
tured Biggs, and they immediately began a hurried march to their village in
Indiana, covering about six miles in the next hour. (Another actual quote from
the previously mentoned letter that Biggs wrote: “We run in a pretty smart
trot of a run of four or six miles.’’)

Biggs’ hands had been tied behind his back and, with a rope around his
neck, was pulled along and forced to keep up with this fast pace. In this era
it was common knowledge that if Indian prisoners could not keep pace they
would be killed. There were no exceptions to this rule!

However, as a member of Clark’s army Biggs had previously traveled long
distances on foot, sometimes going several days with very little or no food.
(Have any of you ever tried running or jogging with your hands tied behind
your back? Of course not, but it is very difficult because your balance is
impaired.) Even under these conditions, Biggs kept pace!

By 10:00 p.m. that night, the group had traveled about 40 miles. Below is
a dramatic account of Biggs’ experience during the trip to Indiana. (Remem-
ber, the group was on foot!) First day - covered about 40 miles; no food.
Second day - covered about 35 miles; no food. Third day - covered about 30
miles; no food. Fourth day - covered about 25 miles; Indians killed a large, fat
duck and roasted it, which Biggs totally devoured ! Biggs had traveled about
130 miles with nothing to eat! This has to be one of the most incredible dis-
plays of physical endurance ever recorded.

Fifth day - covered about 30 miles; no food. Biggs slept very little this
night. His arms, legs, hands, and feet were badly swollen and inflamed from
being tied up each night. Sixth day - covered about 30 miles; no food. Seventh
day - covered about 25 miles; Indians killed a deer, ample food. Another 85
miles without anything to eat! Eighth day - covered about 25 miles; no food.
Ninth day - covered about 15 miles; reached Indian hunting camp. Plenty of
meat, hominy, and sugar to eat. The group was very hungry and (quote) “ate
like hungry dogs.” They had covered 255 miles in eight and one-half days.

(Author’s notation: Several days during the trip, the Indians made “soup”
of various items. But, because the Indians cut up and added partially uncleaned
intestines of animals, Biggs wouldn’t eat any of it. This “soup” had an unusual
green color. Can you blame him for not eating?) However, Clark certainly
made no mistake judging Biggs ten years before. Biggs had to possess tre-
mendous physical and mental strength. His endurance was almost beyond
belief !

At one of the Indian villages later, Biggs was untied and told that he could
move about freely as long as he didn’t leave the village. He was given better
clothing, plenty to eat, and comfortable living quarters. By appropriate cere-
mony, he was even adopted into the Kickapoo tribe. Undoubtedly, the Indians
highly respected Biggs because of his size, remarkable strength, and endurance.
The Indians greatly praised his sprinting speed, before capture, while so heavily
clothed! His ability to “stay with them” on the 255 mile journey with
very little food was also undoubtedly discussed. They had found out that this
big white man was extremely tough.

The Indians continued this remarkable treatment by insisting that Biggs
take an Indian wife! For several days, a “very fair and shapely” 18-year-old
Indian squaw followed Biggs about or stood just outside of his living quarters.
(The author believes that the Indians had visions of many future braves who

12

would be 6’ 8” tall and possess Biggs’ other physical qualities.) However, Biggs
remained faithful to his wife at La Belle Fontaine.

Biggs was at the Indian village for about three weeks when a French
trader came to trade with the Indians. Biggs persuaded this trader to obtain
his freedom by purchasing him from the Indians. With several other area
traders’ help, and after a little haggling, this was done. Biggs was free ! Later,
in Illinois, Biggs repaid these traders.

(William Biggs in about 1794.) From a
distance of only 40 yards, the hail of
Indian rifle fire riddled his horse and
coat. Miraculously, however, he was
not wounded. His over-all experience
with the fierce Kickapoo Indians in
1788 must rank as one of the most
spectacular in the annals of frontier
America. As revealed in this article,
Biggs later became very prominent in
the early Illinois Territory. This photo-
graph was reproduced from a portrait
painting of Mr. Biggs and is a courtesy
of the Illinois State Historical Society.
His signature was obtained from micro
filmed court records.

Later, in the letter written to his brother about his experience and how
much the traders paid to obtain his freedom, Biggs wrote, “MY PRICE WAS
107 BUCKS OR DOLLARS.’’ (When Biggs wrote this, he was referring to 107
male deerskins or buckskins. Although the Indians did not receive the actual
skins, they received the equivalent in trade.)

The author believes that this written statement and the following theories
are overwhelmingly conclusive evidence why we say bucks today instead of
dollars. (By the way, Biggs’ entire letter still exists today, and must be con-
sidered a historical treasure!) “Buckskin” was a valuable item to these early
settlers because clothes and many other items could be made from it. A
“Buck” was as valuable as a dollar to these early settlers because very little
money was available in this era. Bucks were easily traded for other needed
items such as tools, powder, guns, etc. If asked, trading post owners would
undoubtedly frequently quote prices in bucks.

Therefore, sentences such as, “How many bucks do you want for that,”
have endured from frontier times until today. Obviously, more than 200 years
ago a buck and a dollar became related because both were valuable items.
One of the definitions of ‘bucks’ in Webster’s Dictionary is “slang for a dollar.”
Thanks to historical items such as William Biggs’ letter, we today know why.

Hey, friends, we gotta’ get back to the beautiful, happy ending to this
article ! A few weeks after obtaining his freedom, Biggs found passage on a
flatboat going down the Wabash River to Vincennes (Indiana). At Vincennes,
a message was relayed overland to La Belle Fontaine that Biggs was alive,

13

well, and on his way home. Everyone was stunned by the message because
they thought that Biggs was dead.

By flatboat, Biggs traveled to the Ohio River and then up the Mississippi
to Kaskaskia. When he arrived at the Kaskaskia boat dock, his two brothers,
George and Thomas, were waiting. They brought an extra horse and rifle. This
must have been a joyous reunion. However, the best reunion was yet to come !
Ten weeks after his capture, Biggs was once again home at La Belle Fontaine.
He was back with his wife, Nancy, and children!

Mr. Glenn Zanders is holding ‘a couple
ot* bucks’ at his fur and sporting goods
company, which is located near Bald-
win, Illinois. Mr. Zanders is the larg-
est skin, root, firearms, and ammuni-
tion dealer in southern Illinois, and is
one of the largest fur dealers. His
firm is located only 19 miles fro La
Belle Fontaine. The price paid for
deerskins today (January, 1982) was
$6.50 each.

Author’s Notations of Further Research of William Biggs

Biggs became very prominent after his unbelievably spectacular experi-
ence. He was the first sheriff (1790-1798) of St. Clair County, Illinois Territory;
was elected to two terms (1805-1809) in the legislature of the Indiana Territory;
and was elected in 1812 as a member of the legislature or senate of the Illinois
Territory. He also, for many years, was a judge of the Court of Common Pleas
and a Justice of the Peace.

He also became a major landowner in southwestern Illinois, owning nearly
4,000 acres at one time. At the request of the Congress of the United States,
Biggs went to Washington, D. C. in 1826 and gave a narration of his experiences
with George Rogers Clark. His narration also included the 1788 Kickapoo
Indian experience featured in this article. He received a standing ovation when
finished and was later awarded three full sections of land by Congress.

When Illinois became a State in 1818, Biggs was narrowly defeated (by 42
votes) in his race to become a State Senator. This marked an end to his nearly
28 continuous years of service to the people of the Illinois Territory.

Biggs’ last years of life were undoubtedly spent enjoying his children,
grandchildren, and reminiscing about his very worthwhile life. He had to think
many times, “I did it all and have no regrets.” This distinguished American
died in 1827, thirty-nine years after his freedom was purchased for 107 buck-

14

skins (in trade). Despite the assistance of a small army of searchers, the
author was unable to locate the grave of William Biggs. Reportedly, the grave
is located near “Peter’s Station.’’ which is near Southern Illinois University
at Edwardsville, Illinois,

The author strongly believes that should his grave be located in the future,
a large informative plaque, mounted on a large rock, should be placed by the
grave of William Biggs. I respectfully request that historical societies from
local, state and national levels remember this request. It is the least we cur-
rent Americans can do for this distinguished, prominent, heroic patrioch of
long ago.

Not wishing to “strand readers in the past,’’ the author will conclude this
article and “skyrocket” everyone back into the present with the following.

In addition to being born in 1977, these two young ladies have something else
in common. Both are eighth generation direct descendants of William Biggs.
Tracy Martin (left) lives in New Jersey and Jennifer Carr (right) lives in
Illinois. The author sent a photograph of William Biggs to the mothers of these
attractive girls, and was extremely pleased to have located the previously
unknown painting. Undoubtedly, the photograph is now considered a treasure to
these families. A stunning point to ponder is that had William Biggs been killed
in the hail of Indian rifle fire in 1788, Jennifer and Tracy would not exist. They
are descendants of William Biggs’ daughter, who was born in 1795 — seven
years afterwards.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

As an amateur author, I must compliment the following people who, without
exception, did everything possible to help me with this article. I thank each of
them, for without their assistance this article would not be as complete as it
is or may never have been written.

1. The late Mr. John Miller and his book “Legends and Lore of Southern
Illinois,” printed in 1963.

15

2. Mr. Carl Baldwin, of Belleville, Illinois, and his book “Echoes of Their
Voices,” printed in 1978.

3. The Illinois State Historical Society and Mary Michals, Curator of Prints
and Photographs, Springfield, Illinois.

4. Alfred Mueller, Marge Adams, the Monroe County Historical Society, and
the Peterstown Heritage Society, Waterloo, Illinois.

5. Mr. Glenn Zanders, Baldwin, Illinois.

6. John and Mary Ellen Young, genealogists, and Kay Jetton, historian, of
Marissa, Illinois.

7. The book, “History of St. Clair County, Illinois.” Originally printed in 1881,
reprinted in 1977 with additions.

8. The book, “The Making of Illinois,” by Mather, printed in 1915.

9. Mr. Thomas E. Maziarz, manager of the microfilm records department at
the St. Clair County Courthouse in Belleville, Illinois. Mr. Biggs’ signature
was obtained from microfilmed court records, page 85, Aprill, 1811 term of
court.

10. Photography by Lovita Ingram, Percy, Illinois, and the Illinois State His-
torical Society.

11. Sunrise Publishing Co., St. Louis, Missouri, and President Edith Wood for
granting permission to use small parts of “Echoes of Their Voices,” a
copyrighted book.

12. Mr. Harry Sampson, Kenneth Sampson, Kevin Sampson, and Carl Ropac of
Edwardsville, Illinois, for enduring the briars, brambles, vines, spiders and
their webs, and 95 degree temperature while helping the author search for
William Biggs’ grave.

13. The Madison County Historical Society and Assistant Librarian Cynthia Hill
Longwisch, Edwardsville, Illinois.

14. The Madison County Genealogical Society, and Mary Jane Gass and Dan
Theurer.

15. Mrs. William Carr, LaGrange, Illinois, and Mrs. Ronald Martin, Pine Hills,
New Jersey, and especially Mr. R. J. Flygare, Geneva, Illinois.

DISPLAY CASES

The Illinois Numismatic Association has about 50 display cases which are
in storage and have not been used for three or four years. We want them to
be used, and the idea was put forth that they be put on loan to clubs through-
out the state to be used by clubs in the area. It was also suggested that we
sell the cases to clubs or members of ULNA. Nothing firm has been decided
as yet. If you have a suggestion, write to the secretary.

If five cases could be put in your area coin club, someone would have to be
responsible for them; but at least they could be used. One must take into
consideration the possibility of damage, and storage is no small concern.

At least three people have mentioned they would like to buy cases; if there
is enough interest in purchase this may be the route to go. ILLNA bought these
cases at about $25.00 and if sold, they would go at about that price. Let’s hear
from you concerning what should be done with these cases.

16

ILL N. A. HONOR ROLL

CLUB - FIFTY — for those coin clubs or individuals who so believe in the future
of the Illinois Numismatic Association and the advancement that it is endeavor-
ing to bring to collectors of the Illinois area, that they have donated $50.00 to
aid in this work.

1967 — PEORIA DISTRICT COIN CLUB PEORIA, ILLINOIS

1968 — PEORIA DISTRICT COIN CLUB PEORIA, ILLINOIS

1970 — TRI-CITIES COIN CLUB MOLINE, ILLINOIS

1971 — CENTRAL ILLINOIS NUMISMATIC ASSN SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

1972 — JACK D. HUGGINS BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS

1973 — JACK D. HUGGINS BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS

1973 — WILL COUNTY COIN CLUB JOLIET, ILLINOIS

1974 — SOY CITY COIN CLUB . DECATUR, ILLINOIS

1978 — WILLIAM SALOW CHILLICOTHE, ILLINOIS

1979 — WILLIAM SALOW CHILLICOTHE, ILLINOIS

CLUB - ONE HUNDRED — for those coin clubs who have contributed to ILL.
N. A., through their effort and hard work in HOSTING the ILLINOIS NUMIS-
MATIC ASSOCIATION STATE CONVENTION, since the inception of ILL. N. A.
in 1959.

1960 — ROCKFORD AREA COIN CLUB ROCKFORD

1961 — PEORIA DISTRICT COIN CLUB PEORIA

1962 — TRI-CITIES COIN CLUB MOLINE

1963 — LAND OF LINCOLN COIN CLUB, C. I. N. A SPRINGFIELD

1964 — MATTOON COIN CLUB MATTOON

1966 — CENTRALIA COIN CLUB CENTRALIA

1967 — STARVED ROCK COIN CLUB LA SALLE

1968 — PEORIA DISTRICT COIN CLUB PEORIA

1969 — CENTRALIA COIN CLUB CENTRALIA

1970 — TRI-CITIES COIN CLUB MOLINE

1971 — CENTRAL ILLINOIS NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION SPRINGFIELD

1972 — SOY CITY COIN CLUB DECATUR

1973 — WILL COUNTY COIN CLUB JOLIET

1974 — SOY CITY COIN CLUB DECATUR

1975 — CENTRAL ILLINOIS NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION SPRINGFIELD

1976 — SOY CITY COIN CLUB DECATUR

1977 — NORTHWEST SUBURBAN COIN CLUB ARLINGTON HEIGHTS

MEMBERSHIP HONOR ROLL — for those non-officers who have signed the
most new members into ILL. N. A. for each year.

1967 — MARSHALL RAMAY METROPOLIS

1968 — CLAYTON J. HAGEMANN PLANO

1969 — JOHN C. HADLEY CHAMPAIGN

1970 — PAUL J. SURJAN JOLIET

1971 — JACK D. HUGGINS BELLEVILLE

1972 — WILLIAM D. WILES ELLIOT

1973 — DALE E. RICHESON TUSCOLA

1974 — WILLIAM L. SALOW KANKAKEE

1975 — RICHARD HARTZOG ROCKFORD

1976 — RICHARD HARTZOG ROCKFORD

1977 — RICHARD HARTZOG ROCKFORD

1978 — FRANK ST. LOUIS BRADLEY

1978 — RICHARD HARTZOG ROCKFORD

17

The staff of Krause Publications, Inc.,
extends a sincere thanks to active
hobbyists who have made Numismatic
News the longest running hobby
newspaper.

We salute you, in this, our 30th year
of publishing.

And, we reaffirm our pledge to continue
providing the trustworthy advertising,
accurate value guides and speedy delivery
you need to vigorously pursue and enjoy
your hobby.

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY ... for everyone wanting to get acquainted
with Numismatic News. Enjoy a free six-week trial subscription. Send
name, address and request to Numismatic News, Dept. AR7, 700 E.
State St., Iola, WI 54990. Offer for non-subscribers only.

18

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

IN THE

ILLINOIS NUMISMATIC ASS'N

I HEREBY MAKE APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE ILL. N. A.
SUBJECT TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE ASSOCIATION

Date:

Mr.

Mrs.

Miss

Name (Please Print)

Address

City

State

Zip Code

Date and Birth Year

Occupation

Numismatic Specialty

Signature of Applicant

List local Coin Club you are a member of.

Signature of Proposer

Check One Below:

CLUB APPLICATION ( )

INDIVIDUAL APPLICATION ( )

DUES RENEWAL ( )

$4.00 for NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION and One Year DUES
$3.00 for CURRENT DUES of old REGULAR MEMBER

Complete form, with proper amount of Money (cash or check),
give to any ILL. N. A. Officer or Mail to the Secretary’s Address

SIGN UP A COLLECTOR FRIEND
SIGN UP YOUR CLUB INTO ILL. N. A.

ILL. N. A. NEEDS YOU . . . YOU NEED ILL. N. A. !

19

20

m

i==

Kurt R. Krueger
IS BUYING

of

United States Coins,

National Currency,

Foreign Coins &
Currency,

Collections,

Estates,

Hoards,

& Singles

Type Notes,
Tokens, Medals
and Oddments.

“Y ou can capitalize on my diversified knowledge of numismatics. I am in constant need of material
to supply the demand of my large clientele. I am willing to travel anywhere to view your holdings,
if warranted. Whether you have a single item or a six-figure collection, I would appreciate the
opportunity to discuss a confidential transaction with you.”

WHY CONTACT ME?

Get Top Dollar For Your Material and
Get A Piece of the Kurt R. Krueger PIE.
PROFESSIONALISM - INTEGRITY - EXPERIENCE

PROFESSIONALISM: Kurt R. Krueger is a full-time, highly professional numismatist; well known for his
high ethical standards in his field. Kurt is a member of the Professional Numismatist Guild. As a member
of the PNG, Kurt is required to subscribe to a rigid code of ethics and pass the strict financial
requirements. As a Life Member of the American Numismatic Association, Kurt takes an active interest in
the organization. He is currently the youngest member on the Board of Governors.

INTEGRITY: Because of Kurt’s firm adherence to a rigid code of business ethics and moral values, you
receive an honest evaluation and a fair price for your holdings. Kurt will not merely “cherry-pick” your
collection... he will purchase your material Intact... lock, stock and barrel.

EXPERIENCE: In 195b, Kurt was a budding numismatist. His intense desire for knowledge for the past 1$
years has given Kurt a keen insight into United States numismatics. As an authority on foreign coin and
currency markets, Kurt is a contributing editor to several major world numismatic catalogues.

Attending coin conventions and auctions, Kurt is constantly meeting with his numismatic clientele. This
encounter with people in all parts of the United States gives him a perception of the market which few
enjoy.

There you have it!! PROFESSIONAUSM, INTEGRITY and EXPERIENCE! The three essential ingredients of
a highly respected numismatist. Over the years, as you built and enjoyed your collection, you put forth
much time and effort, along with a substantial Investment. Now, as you consider the sale of your
holdings, your wisest investment could very well be a telephone call or a letter to Kurt R. Krueger... a
name synonymous with numismatics!

Gentlemen:

1 may be interested In selling a portion of my
numismatic holdings.

Avoid timely delays; ship today with no obligation

The type of material I am considering
selling Is:

City, State U Zip

ISO N. Washington Street
lola, Wisconsin $494$
Telephone: (71*) 44**045

Phone(s)

Illinois Numismatic Ass’n
1306 Hollycrest Dr.
Champaign, III. 61820